SAINT JOHN, N.B. - About 30,000 Saint John residents are being ordered to boil their water until advised otherwise following a watermain break.
The boil order was issued by Regional Medical Officer of Health Dr. Scott Giffin.
"Individuals living in the south end, Millidgeville, and the Hay Market Square areas are advised to bring their water for drinking and personal use to a rolling boil for at least one minute," Giffin said. "The water can then be stored in clean, covered containers for future use."
The boil order includes St. Joseph's hospital. The hospital has a supply of bottled water for medications and is using bagged water for bathing. More bottled water has been ordered for the hospital. The Saint John Regional Hospital is also affected, but the hospital's water supply has been isolated from the city and the hospital is using its own reservoir.
A boil water advisory is issued when the Department of Health receives information that indicates a public water supply is a health risk for consumers.During a boil water advisory, it is important that all water destined for drinking, preparing infant formulas and juices, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking and dental hygiene be held at a rolling boil for one minute. Unless advised differently by the Department of Health, under most circumstances it is not necessary to boil water used for other household purposes.
Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge-bathed, and caregivers need to ensure that no water is swallowed. Dishes and laundry may be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine, unless advised differently by a Department of Health representative.
